1. Our minds are fallible. We all have cognitive biases, which are mental shortcuts that can lead us to make errors in judgment. It’s important to be aware of our biases so that we can try to overcome them.
2. We tend to overestimate our own abilities. We’re often overconfident in our knowledge and skills, and we underestimate the difficulty of tasks. This can lead us to make bad decisions and take on too much.
3. We’re easily influenced by our emotions. Our emotions can cloud our judgment and make it difficult to think clearly. It’s important to be mindful of our emotions and to try to keep them from controlling our thinking.
4. We’re susceptible to groupthink. When we’re in a group, we tend to conform to the opinions of others, even if we disagree with them privately. This can lead to bad decision-making.
5. We’re prone to confirmation bias. We tend to seek out information that confirms our existing beliefs and to ignore information that contradicts them. This can lead us to develop inaccurate and biased views of the world.
6. We’re influenced by the framing of problems. The way a problem is presented can affect how we think about it and how we solve it. It’s important to be aware of how problems are framed and to try to see them from different perspectives.
7. We’re susceptible to the availability heuristic. We tend to judge the likelihood of events based on how easily they come to mind. This can lead us to make inaccurate assessments of risk and probability.
8. We’re biased towards the present moment. We tend to value immediate rewards more than future rewards. This can lead us to make impulsive decisions that we later regret.
9. We’re influenced by social norms. We tend to do what we think others expect of us, even if we don’t agree with it. This can lead us to conform to social norms, even when they’re harmful or destructive.
10. We’re prone to the Dunning-Kruger effect. This is the tendency of people with low competence to overestimate their abilities. It’s important to be aware of our own limitations and to be open to feedback from others.
11. Think critically about the information you consume. Don’t blindly accept everything you read or hear. Question sources and be skeptical of claims.
12. Be mindful of your biases. Try to identify your own biases and to be aware of how they might be affecting your thinking.
13. Consider multiple perspectives. Don’t just see things from your own point of view. Try to understand the perspectives of others, even if you disagree with them.
14. Be open to new ideas. Don’t be afraid to challenge your existing beliefs and to consider new information.
15. Practice critical thinking skills regularly. The more you practice critical thinking, the better you’ll become at it.
Thinking 101 is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their thinking skills. By understanding the cognitive biases that can lead us to make errors in judgment, we can learn to think more critically and make better
